AFL announces weekly award winners
Published on May 17, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â Arizona Rattlers wide receiver/linebacker TOM PACE, New Orleans VooDoo quarterback ANDY KELLY and Grand Rapids Rampage defensive specialist DAMON MASON have been named U.S. Army Ironman, Offensive Player and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 16 of the 2005 season. The announcement was made live on ESPNews this afternoon.
U.S. ARMY IRONMAN: Pace (5-10, 199, Arizona State), who is in his third season, led the Arizona Rattlers (6-9) to a 54-44 victory over the San Jose SaberCats (8-7). On offense, Pace caught three receptions for 41 yards. Defensively, he recorded 6.5 tackles (4 solo), two interceptions and one pass defended. On special teams, he returned three kick-offs for 82 yards, including a 55-yard return for a touchdown and an 11-yard return for a touchdown. This marks the first time Pace has earned an AFL weekly honor.
OFFENSIVE: Kelly (6-3, 220, Tennessee), who is in his 12th AFL season, earned Offensive Player of the Week honors by leading the New Orleans VooDoo (9-6) to a 69-68 victory over the Austin Wranglers (6-10) Saturday at New Orleans Arena. Kelly completed 34-of-46 (73.9%) passes for season highs of 361 yards and nine touchdowns. The victory for the VooDoo kept their postseason hopes alive and could earn a berth this weekend with a win over their Southern Division rival, the Orlando Predators. This marks the 11th time that the former Volunteer has earned an AFL weekly honor.
ADT DEFENSIVE: Mason (5-9, 180, SW Louisiana), who is in his eighth season, helped lead the Grand Rapids Rampage (3-12) to their second win of the season over the Chicago Rush (8-7), 51-40, at Allstate Arena in Sunday's Central Division matchup. Mason recorded 7.5 tackles (6 solo), one interception and four passes defended. This marks the second time that he has earned an AFL weekly honor.
U.S. Army Ironman of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Randy Gatewood, Colorado's Willis Marshall, Columbus' Jeremy Unertl, Georgia's Chris Jackson, Grand Rapids' Chris Avery, Los Angeles' Kevin Ingram, New Orleans' Thabiti Davis and Tampa Bay's Lawrence Samuels.
Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Sherdrick Bonner, Chicago's C.J. Johnson, Colorado's Damian Harrell, Columbus' Matt D' Orazio, Georgia's Matt Nagy, Los Angeles' John Kaleo and Tampa Bay's Shane Stafford.
ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Wendall Gaines, Colorado's John Peaua, Columbus' Brandon Hefflin, Georgia's Derek Lee, Los Angeles' Damen Wheeler, New Orleans' Chris Pointer and New York's Billy Parker.
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